Relationship between Social Support and Quality of Life in Myocardial Infarction Patients Referring to the Hospitals of Ilam City

Chronic diseases such as Myocardial Infarction (MI) are incurable but can be prevented. However, these patients always are exposed to stressful physical, psychological and social factors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the quality of life and social support in Myocardial Infarction patients and it also finds the relationship between these two factors.
the under population of present study were all of the qualified Myocardial Infarction patients who wanted to be cured and referred to one of the hospitals in Ilam city. The sample size was 152 Myocardial Infarction patients who were selected by random sampling method. The data were collected using a questionnaire which included three sections of demographic, the quality of life, and social support characteristics. The data were analyzed by SPSS-19 and were used from descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, T test and one-way ANOVA.
Findings: The findings revealed that the quality of life in 57.33% of patients and social support in 58% of cases were non- optimal and there was a direct, significant relationship between these two factors (Pvalue=0.01). Among the components of the quality of life, the physical and psychological dimensions were not suitable in 45.33% and 60.67% patients, respectively. Among the social support dimensions, the structural sources of social support favored the highest percent (47.33%). Also, the Group membership (Pvalue= 0.001, B = 0.25) and social network (Pvalue= 0.001, B= 0.27) had a direct, significant relationship with quality of life.
Discussion & Considering the fact that was a direct association between social support and quality of life in the myocardial infarction patient, it is recommended that the authorities and patient’s family take decisions and plan in a way that improves the social capital and social supports of patients and thus can influence the enhancement of the patients’ qualities of life.